Window adapter



Nov. 19, A179517 E. c. VAUGHN Y 2,813,311

WINDOW ADAPTER Filed Nov. 1, 1954 F1/fa. Z.

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United States WINDOW ADAPTER Emmett C. Vaughn, Long Beach, Calif., assignor to Kwik-Fit Corporation, Downey, Calif., a corporation of California Application November 1, 1954, Serial No. 465,877

11 Claims. (Cl. 20-11) This invention relates to the installation of windows in building structures and is particularly concerned with an intermediate frame or adapter construction that is installed between the frame of a window unit, and the frame of a window opening in the building structure, a general object of this invention being to provide a simple, inexpensive and practical construction for the installation of window units in building structures.

In the construction of buildings, such as dwellings or the like, it is common to employ prebuilt window units which are secured in window openings in the framework of the buildings. The window units themselves vary greatly in size, form and construction and, in general, are most satisfactory in themselves. Window units of the type under consideration may be made of any suitable material, it being desirable to make such units of metal, such as steel or aluminum, etc.

`The manufacturer of Window units of the type above referred to, is carried out on a high production basis and the quality and size of the units produced is reasonably uniform, whereas the frame of a Window opening in the rough framework of a building structure is not at all uniform and, in fact, vary considerably in size and in squareness. Therefore, the installation of window units directly in the window opening is tedious and time consuming from the labor or man-hour standpoint.

Another controlling factor in the economy of installing window units in the window openings of building structures is the cleaning operation which is necessary in order to place the building in condition for occupancy. Heretofore, window units have been installed in the rough framework of the building after which the various trades work upon the building. I have reference in particular to the Plastering trade which is inherently a very messy operation. That is, the Window units ordinarily become covered with plaster and various wall coatings. Also, painting is a problem and the window units become covered with paint. The foregoing results in an Iadded cost of cleaning and, in the case of aluminum units, the metal becomes permanently scarred and defaced through `chemical action and also through the use of various cleaning tools and implements.

An object of this invention is to provide an intermediate frame or adapter that is easily secured in a frame opening in a building structure and which is adapted to receive `a window unit. With the structure of the present invention the adapter is installed permanently and after the building is completed the window unit is applied thereto and is held securely in proper Working position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sturdy and `reliable construction of the character referred to, wherein the installation time thereof is greatly reduced and wherein absolutely no cleaning operation is required. With the structure of the present invention the individual elements thereof may be pre-finished or painted prior to `final assembly.

The various objects and features of my invention will Mice be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front view of a window unit installation showing a portion of the structure broken away and showing the intermediate frame or adapter as it is applied to the window opening to receive and carry the window unit. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of the struc ture shown in Fig. 1 taken as indicated by line 2--2 on Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 taken as indicated by line 3 3 on Fig. l.

The present invention is primarily concerned with an intermediate frame or adapter that is applicable to the rough framework of a building structure and that is adapted to receive and hold securely a window unit such as, for example, a steel or aluminum sash unit. It is `to be understood that the window units may vary widely in form and construction and may be of various types without altering the present invention. Further, it is to be understood that when I refer to window openings I also mean to include any like openings, such as door openings.

A typical window unit X is shown throughout the drawings, Which unit X involves, generally, a head section 10, jamb sections 11 and 12, and a sill section 13. The head section 10 andsill section 13 are spaced horizontally disposed parts, the section 10 being located at the top of the unit and the section 13 being located at the bottom of the unit, and each is an elongate element of suitable cross sectional configuration. The jamb sections 11 and 12 are spaced vertically disposed parts, there being a section at each side of the unit X and each is an elongate element of suitable cross sectional conguration. In. practice, the sections 10, 11, 12 and 13 may be alike or identical in cross section and, as shown, a typical cross section involves a web 14 and outwardly projecting front and back anges 15 and 16. The ange 15 may project farther from the web 14 than the llange 16 as shown.

ln addition to the flanges 15 and 16, there is shown projecting panel carrying ilanges 17 and 18. The flanges 17' and 1g may be fashioned to carry and support suitable panels 17 and 18 in the form of a window and screen panel, respectively. The corners of the frame unit X may be secured together by welding or by suitable brackets with the result that the parts form a rigid rectangular frame-like construction.

The window opening Y in the building structure S involves, generally, a head member 20, jamb members 21 and 22 and a sill member 23. The members 20, `21, 22 and 23 are assembled in a manner to form a rectangular opening of larger dimensions than the outer dimensions of the intermediate frame or adapter Z that I have provided. The members 2l), 21, 22 and 23 are of the usual form and are shown as lumber elements commonly referred to as two by fours.

The intermediate frame or adapter Z of the present invention is a single integral unit of construction and may be manufactured and distributed as a finished or assembled article of manufacture, or may be manufactured and distributed as a knock-down assembly, in which case it may be put together by the buyer. In any case, the adapter Z is a unitary construction when applied to the building structure S in the window opening Y. Generally, the adapter Z that I have provided involves a mounting A and a retainer B. The mounting A is carried by and is secured permanently in the window opening Y, while the retainer B is telescopically related to the mounting A and is releasably engaged therein to secure the window unit X in proper working position.

The mounting A is basically a rectangular frame'like structure adapted to be installed in a window opening and involves, generally, a head element 30, jamb elements 31 and 32, and a sill element 33. The head element 30 and sill element 33 are spaced horizontally disposed parts, the

l element 30 being at the top of the mounting and the ele ment 33 being at the bottom thereof, and each is an elongate part of suitable cross section. The jamb elements 31 and 32 are spaced vertically disposed parts, there being one element at each side of the mounting and each is an elongate part of suitable cross section. In practice, the sill element 33 is of one cross sectional conguration, while the elements 30, 31 and 32 are alike and of a dilerent cross sectional configuration.

As shown, the head element 30 and jamb elements 31 and 32 are adapted to be received in the opening Y to iinish flush with the exterior of the building structure. The elements 30, 31 and 32 are alike and each involves a body 35 with a unit receiving recess 36 and a unit positioning stop 37, a front or outside mold 38 and a back or inside mold 39. The body 35 is a straight elongate part with flat parallel inside and outside faces 40 and and 41, and front and back edges 42 and 43.

The recess 36 is formed in the body 35 and extends lonl gitudinally thereof at the inside face 40 and back edge 43 and is coextensive with the body 35. The recess 36 is formed in the body 35, as by milling, when the body is formed of wood or the like, and is defined by an inwardly facing wall 44 parallel with the face 40 and spaced outwardly therefrom and by a rearwardly facing wall 45 normal to the wall 44 and parallel with the front edge 4Z and spaced rearwardly therefrom. It will be apparent how the recess 36 is open inwardly toward the back of the mounting A.

The stop 37 for the window unit X may be formed entirely by the wall 45 above described. However, in the preferred form of the invention, a channel 46 is formed in the body 35 at the wall 115 and a stop member 47 is carried in the channel 46 in abutting engagement with the Wall and so that it projects from the inside face 40 of the body 35. By providing the stop member 47 weather is prevented from entering the building at this point.

The front or outside mold 33 is preferably separable g from the body 35 and may be any suitable mold, either a plaster mold or a mold suitable for receiving wood siding or the like. As shown, the mold 38 is received in a recess 48 in the front 42 of the body 45, and is a typical plaster mold having a decorative detail at 1l-9 and a plaster receiving channel at 50.

The back or inside mold 39 is preferably integral with the body 35 and may be any suitable mold, either a plaster mold or a mold suitable for receiving paneling or the like. As shown, the mold 39 is in the nature of a recess 51 in the back edge 43 of the body 35 and is a typical mold adapted to receive the inside plaster or wall covering.

The sill 33 is substantially the same as the elements 341, 31 and 32 above described, and involves, generally, a body with a unit receiving recess 56 and a unit positioning stop 57, a front drip portion 53 and a back or inside mold 59. The body 55, recess 56 and inside mold 59 are substantially the same as above described in connection with the head and jamb elements 31B, 31 and 32. However, the stop 57 and drip portion 58 are characteristic of this portion of the structure.

The stop 57 for the window unit X is integral with the body 55 of the sill 33 and is a rib-like part that projects inwardly from the inner face thereof. The stop 57 is in a plane spaced somewhat rearward of the plane of the stops 37 so that the flange 15 of the unit X is engageable with the forward side 60 thereof.

The front drip portion 58 of the sill 33 is provided to overhang the outside of the building structure, and the upper face thereof is pitched downwardly and forwardly and is provided with a drip groove 61 at its forward end. A

plaster receiving mold or groove 62 may be formed at the underside thereof as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The elements 30, 31, 32 and 33 above described, may be assembled in any suitable manner and, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, they are assembled to form a typical rectangular frame or unit which may be suitably fastened together at the corners thereof, as by nails or the like. The mounting A, in accordance with the present invention, is somewhat smaller in outside dimensions than the opening Y into which it is placed and, in accordance with common building practice, the mounting A can be easily and quickly positioned within the opening Y by using suitable wedge-shaped pieces of material, such as shingles or the like, which pieces of material may be forced into place so that the mounting `A is held securely in the proper position.

The retainer B that I have provided is a frame-like part adapted to be received by the recesses 36 and 56 in the mounting A. As shown in the drawings, the retainer B involves a head element, not shown, jamb elements 71, and a sill element 73. The head element and elements 71 and 73 are each straight elongate elements characterized by a seat 75 at the forward end portion thereof and at the inside of the retainer. The seat 75 involves a locating Wall 76 adapted to center the window unit X within the mounting A, and a positioning wall 77 adapted to have abutting engagement with the ange 16 of the window unit X to force the window unit X into tightseating engagement with the stops 37. A suitable trim molding 94 is carried at the back side of the retainer B to overlie the inside plate joint and edge 43 of the mounting A.

In accordance with the invention, suitable flashing may be secured in the unit Z at and 91 to seal with the building structure S. The adapter Z is secured in the opening Y by means of fasteners, such as nails 95 and 96 and in order to install the unit X within the adapter Z that I have provided, the lower flange 15 of the unit X is placed at the forward side of the stop 57 at the sill 33, whereupon the remaining flanges 15 surrounding the unit X are moved into engagement with the stops 37. The retainer B is then telescopically inserted into the mounting A to be carried in the recesses 37 and 57 and is moved into pressure engagement with the flanges 16 of the window unit X. The retainer B is secured in working position by means of suitable fasteners N, such as screws or the like, so that the window unit X and retainer B are held secured within the mounting A.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A window adapter for permanent installation in a building structure and adapted to receive and support a separate window unit, including a mounting for fixed installation in the building structure and having a recess therein `for receiving the said unit, and a retainer engageable with the window unit in the recess to hold said unit secure in working position.

2. A window adapter for permanent installation in a Window opening and adapted to receive and support a separate window unit, including, a mounting frame for fixed installation in the opening and having a recess therein for receiving the said unit, and a retainer frame engageable with the window unit in the recess to hold said unit secure in working position.

3. A window adapter for permanent installation in a window opening and adapted to receive and support a separate window unit, including, a mounting frame for fixed installation in the opening and having head and jamb elements with recesses therein from the inner side thereof for receiving the said unit and with an inwardly facing stop at the recesses for positioning the window unit.

and having a sill member with a recess -therein from the inner side thereof and with an outwardly facing stop at the recess for positioning the window unit, and a retainer frame engageable with the window unit and in the recesses to hold said unit secured in working position.

4. A window adapter for permanent installation in a window opening and adapted to receive and support a separate window unit having a ange proje-cting outwardly therefrom, including, a mounting frame for iiXed installation in the opening and having head and jamb elements with recesses therein from the inner side thereof for receiving the said unit and with an inwardly facing stop at the recesses for engaging the said ange f-or positioning the window unit, and having a sill member with a recess therein from the inner side thereof and with an outwardly facing stop at the recess for engaging the said flange for positioning the window unit, and a retainer frame engageable With the window unit and in the recesses to hold said unit secure in working position.

5. A window adapter for permanent installation in a window opening and adapted to receive and support a separate window unit, including, a mounting frame for fixed installation in the opening and having a recess therein for receiving the said unit and having a molding for receiving the outside of the wall, and a retainer frame engageable with the window unit in the recess to hold said unit secure in working position.

6. A window adapter for permanent installation in a window opening and adapted to receive and support a separate window unit, including, a mounting frame for fixed installation in the opening and having a recess therein for receiving the said unit and having moldings for receiving the outside and inside of the wall, and a retainer frame engageable with the window unit in the recess to hold said unit secure in working position.

7. In combination, a window adapter for permanent installation in a separate window opening, and a window unit, said adapter including, a mounting frame for fixed installation in the opening and having a recess therein for receiving the said unit, and a retainer frame engageable with the window unit in the recess t-o hold said unit secure in working position.

8. In combination, a window adapter for permanent installation in a window opening, and a separate window unit, said adapter including, a mounting frame for fixed installation in the opening and having head and jamb elements with recesses therein from the inner side thereof for receiving the window unit and with an inwardly facing stop at the recesses for positioning the said unit, and having a sill member with a recess therein from the inner side thereof and with an outwardly facing stop at the recess for positioning the window unit, and a retainer frame engageable with the window unit and in the recesses to hold said unit secure in working position.

9. In combination, a window adapter for permanent installation in a window opening, and a separate window unit having a flange projecting outwardly therefrom, said adapter including, a mounting frame for fixed installation in the opening and having head and jamb elements with recesses therein from the inner side thereof for receiving the window unit and with an inwardly facing stop at the recesses for engaging the said flange for positioning the said unit, and having a sill member with a recess therein from the inner side thereof and with an outwardly facing stop at the recess for engaging the said ange for positioning the window unit, and a retainer frame engageable with the window unit and in the recesses to hold said unit secure in working position.

l0. In combination, a window adapter for permanent installation in a separate window opening, and a window unit, said adapter including, a mounting frame for fixed installation in the opening and having a recess therein for receiving the window unit and having a molding for receiving the outside of the wall, and a retainer frame engageable with the window unit in the recess to hold said unit secure in working position.

l1. In combination, a window adapter for permanent installation in a window opening, and a separate window unit, said adapter including, a mounting frame for fixed installation in the opening and having a recess therein for receiving the window unit and having moldings for receiving the outside and inside of the Wall, and a retainer frame engageable with the windo-w unit in the recess to hold said unit secure in working position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,168,347 Huff Aug. 8, 1939 2,293,648 Horn Aug. 18, 1942 2,607,453 Smith Aug. 19, 1952 2,654,921 Blanchard Oct. 13, 1953 

